Low-cost eyeglasses

ABSTRACT

Low cost spectacles may include a paper or plastic frame and injection molded plastic lens or lenses, where the lens may be easily removed and changed within the frame. In one example, the lens may have a round shape, and securing the lens within the frame may be accomplished by inserting the lens into the aperture in the frame, and rotating the lens, for example, by ¼ of a turn. The lens may have a flange extending radially outward from an edge of the lens, wrapping substantially around a circumference of the lens. The lens may further have a key extending radially outward from an edge of the lens. The key is configured to fit the lens into the aperture of the frame. When the lens is rotated within the aperture, a portion of the frame enters a channel between the key and the flange to secure the lens to the frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of non-provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 12/969,354, filed on Dec. 15, 2010, entitled“LOW-COST EYEGLASSES,” which said application claimed priority to andthe benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/306,868, filedon Feb. 22, 2010, also entitled “LOW-COST EYEGLASSES,” the entirety ofboth applications which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The instant specification relates generally to spectacles, and moreparticularly, to low-cost eyeglasses with interchangeable lenses.

2. Background

Traditionally, reading eyeglass frames have been commonly made fromrelatively expensive and durable materials such as metal or plastic.Reading lenses, originally made from glass, are now made from varioustypes of plastic, including polycarbonate—reducing the danger ofbreakage and weighing less than glass lenses. Some currently usedplastics also have more advantageous optical properties than glass, suchas better transmission of visible light and greater absorption ofultraviolet light. Conventional plastic or glass reading lenses,however, are relatively expensive, typically including features such asan anti-scratch coating, an anti-reflective coating, polarization,photosensitive or photochromic materials, etc.

In certain situations it may be desired to provide an inexpensivealternative to the structural materials previously mentioned, forexample, by providing paper framed glasses with inexpensive lenses.Thus, there is a need in the art for the latter mentioned glasses,which, although inexpensive, may magnify viewing material as effectivelyas a conventional pair of glasses.

SUMMARY

In various representative aspects, the instant disclosure provides forlow cost spectacles having paper or plastic frames and interchangeableinjection molded plastic lenses. Exemplary features may include acapability to provide printed advertising material on the frames,selection and modification of properties of the lenses, and theprovision of lenses having a long focal length suitable for readingglasses.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides spectacles having a frame with atleast one aperture and at least one removable lens for altering a user'svision when viewing through each of said at least one aperture. Here,the lens includes a key and the at least one aperture is configured tofit the key, such that the key secures the lens to the frame when thelens is rotated within the aperture.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides spectacles having a paperframe with at least one aperture, and at least one injection moldedplastic lens for altering a user's vision when viewing through each ofsaid at least one injection molded plastic lens.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for securing aninjection molded plastic lens within a frame. The method includesinserting the lens into an aperture of the frame, where the aperture hasa shape substantially corresponding to a shape of at least a portion ofthe lens. The method further includes rotating the lens within theaperture to engage a portion of the frame within a channel between a keyand a flange extending radially outward from an edge of the lens.

These and other aspects are more fully comprehended upon review of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrateexemplary embodiments of the present invention, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a pair of eyeglasses according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a pair of eyeglasses according to anotherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing an aperture in a frame, and lensesaccording to two exemplary embodiments.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to anyparticular sequence. For example, steps that may be performedconcurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures tohelp to improve the understanding of various aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way ofillustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the inventionmay be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Also, in the contextof the present application, when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or beindirectly on the other element with one or more intervening elementsinterposed therebetween. Also, in the context of the presentapplication, when an element is referred to as being “connected” or“coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled tothe other element or be indirectly connected or coupled to the otherelement with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween.Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout thespecification.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of spectacles 100 with lenses 104in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. Althoughspectacles are described herein in their traditional sense, the termsspectacles, eyeglass, and eyeglasses may be used interchangeably torefer to binocular and/or monocular spectacles having a frame with orwithout temple arms or ear pieces 102. For example, one of ordinaryskill in the art may appreciate that the configuration disclosed mayapply equally to: (1) reading eyeglasses with two lenses, one for eacheye for binocular vision; (2) a reading magnifier that may be used overone eye, i.e., a monocle for monocular vision; or (3) a singlemagnifying lens mounted in a frame large enough for two eyes. Moreover,the instant disclosure may apply to a lens to be mounted to a camera orother viewing instrument, for example, having a frame configured as abayonet mount or bayonet connector to fasten a lens in front of a cameralens.

The spectacles 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may have a pair of ear pieces102 and a pair of apertures 106. The apertures 106 may be any opening,i.e., any shape or size, which would allow a user to see, observe,inspect, examine, or otherwise perceive an object through the opening.The pair of ear pieces 102 may facilitate a user's ability to affix thespectacles 100 temporarily to one's face. Alternatively, the spectacles100 may forgo the presence of any ear pieces 102 and may simply be heldin the user's hand. Once in the user's hand, the spectacles 100 may bemanually placed over one's eyes for viewing objects through theapertures 106. The use of the spectacles 100 without ear pieces 102 maybe referred to as a hand held or a lorgnette.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame of the spectacles 100 may beconstructed of an inexpensive material such as paper or plastic. Forexample, a paper frame may be constructed of a paper board material,including one sheet or a plurality of sheets laminated together, in someembodiments, die-cut from paper stock. Of course, the term “paper” maybe construed to include a broad range of apparatus having any suitablethickness, rigidity, etc., manufactured from any suitable type of abroad range of materials (e.g., plant matter, cellulose, animal skins,synthetic materials, etc.), chosen according to a manufacturer's needs.In another example, the frame of the spectacles 100 may be die cut ormolded from an inexpensive plastic material, e.g., similar to a creditcard. In these examples, the frame of the spectacles 100 may be printedwith advertisements, notices, or other commercial indicia that mayindicate manufacturing or distribution information.

The lens 104 may alter light passing through the lens 104 to improve orcorrect vision, to ease reading, or to magnify miscellaneous objectsaccording to the index of refraction of the material and the differencein the curvature between the two surfaces of the lens 104. In typicalspectacles, the lenses are mounted in the frames to position the lensesin front of a user's eyes. According to various exemplary aspects of theinstant disclosure, the lenses may be colored or substantially clear.Various lenses may be utilized for magnification, reading, ophthalmicvision correction, 3D applications, solar viewing, etc. Further, becauselenses according to an aspect of this disclosure are interchangeable,different lenses may be swapped in and out for different applications,resulting in a modular lens eyeglass system.

The lens 104 may be unifocal, with one correction for all distances, orit may correct for more than one distance (multifocal); in one aspect ofthe disclosure, the lens 104 may be configured as half-glasses(eyeglasses that have half lenses and are used for reading only). Thelens 104 may be made of plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic, glass, or anyother suitable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the lens is amolded acrylic, polycarbonate, or other polymer. In general, the greaterthe index of refraction, the thinner the lens 104 can be. In anexemplary embodiment, the lens 104 may be a sheet magnifier thatcomprises many very narrow concentric ring-shaped lenses, such that thecombination acts as a single lens but is much thinner than conventionalconvex lenses. This arrangement is known as a Fresnel lens.

In some embodiments the lens 104 may be an injection molded plasticmaterial. One aspect of such a material and construction is that,particularly in comparison to a Fresnel lens, a long focal length may beobtained. In one example, the lens may be adapted to provide a focallength of about 18 inches; however, a focal length of greater than aboutsix inches may be suitable depending on various aspects andcharacteristics of a particular design. In another aspect, the lens mayhave a diopter of about +1.5, or more broadly, in a range between 1 and5 to provide standard reading glasses. However in accordance with thedisclosure the diopter may be as low as 0.5 depending on various aspectsand characteristics of a particular design.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a frame 200 having a different shape. Thoseskilled in the art will comprehend that the frame 200 may take anysuitable form or shape according to various design parameters.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing details of the lens andaperture into which the lens is inserted, to show how the lens may beinserted into and secured in the frame in accordance with variousaspects of the disclosure. Here, the frame of the spectacles isillustrated as having a square shape, but of course, the frame may takeany suitable shape such as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, or essentially anyother shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the lens 304 or 306 may besubstantially round in outline to facilitate rotation of the lens in anaperture 302. According to various configurations, the lens may includea flange 308 and a key 310 or 312.

In one example illustrated as lens 304, the lens 304 may be removablyplaced into the aperture 302 in the frame by substantially aligning thekey 310 with the shape of the aperture 302 and inserting the lens 304into the aperture 302, such that the flange 308 engages the surface 328of the frame and prevents the lens 304 from passing completely throughthe aperture 302. The lens may be rotated such that a portion of theframe is engaged within a channel 322 between the flange 308 and the key310 to secure the lens 304 to the frame by friction.

Here, the terms “top” and “bottom” are only used with reference to theorientation of the illustration, for ease and clarity of description.The flange 308 may extend radially outward from a bottom surface 318 ofthe lens 304, wrapping substantially around the circumference of thelens 304. Of course, the flange 308 need not necessarily wrap entirelyaround the circumference of the lens, but other configurations extendingaround a portion of the lens may be used in accordance with aspects ofthe disclosure. The flange 308 may have a thickness that is less thanthe thickness of the cylindrical lens 304. For example, in an embodimentwhere the bottom surface of the flange 308 is flush with the bottomsurface of the lens 308, if the thickness of the lens is T_(lens), andthe thickness of the frame is T_(frame) (where the frame may be securedin the channel 322 between the flange 308 and the key 310), then thethickness of the flange T_(flange) may be substantially equal to(T_(lens)−T_(frame))/2. However, this thickness may be modified to anysuitable thickness enabling the lens to be secured to the frame, e.g.,within the channel 322.

Here, the key may have any of various suitable shapes or sizes, forexample, having a semi-circular profile, or rounded corners, for easyinsertion into the keyhole. As illustrated on the lens 304, the key 310has a semi-circular shape extending radially outward from the edge ofthe lens 304. Here, the key 310 has a top surface substantially flushwith the top surface 316 of the lens 304, and the key 310 has athickness substantially equal to (T_(lens)−T_(frame))/2. However, as isthe case with the flange 308 described above, various embodiments mayplace the top surface of the key 310 in a position other than beingflush with the top surface 316 of the lens 304, and the thickness of thekey 310 may vary from the thickness described herein, without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure.

With the key 310 and flange 308 configured according to the abovedescription, a channel 322 is created between the key 310 and the flange308. Thus, to place the lens 304 into the aperture 302, the lens 304 isplaced such that the keys 310 substantially align with the shape of theaperture 302. For example, the aperture 302 may include a substantiallycircular opening 324 and one or more notches 326. The notches 326 mayhave a shape substantially the same as the shape of the keys 310, or ashape substantially different from the shape of the keys 310, as long asthe keys 310 are capable of being inserted into the notches as describedbelow. Here, the notches 326 align with the keys 310, such that the keys310 pass through the notches 326 when the lens 304 is aligned andinserted into the aperture 302. Thereafter, the flange 308 engages asurface of the frame, preventing the lens 304 from passing entirelythrough the aperture 302. When the flange is engaged with the surface ofthe frame, the lens may be rotated, for example, by one quarter of aturn. Here, a portion of the frame proximate to the aperture 302 isengaged within the channel 322 between the flange 308 and the key 310,securing the lens 304 in the aperture 302. In an exemplary embodiment,the channel 322 is configured to fit snugly around the frame to reduceor prevent unwanted rotation of the lens during use.

In order to remove the lens 304 from the frame, the lens 304 may berotated by one quarter of a turn, that is, until the keys 310 aresubstantially aligned with the notches 326, and the portion of the frameproximate to the aperture 302 is no longer within the channel 322. Thus,the lens 304 may be easily replaced with another lens, for example,having different optical properties, such as different magnification, adifferent color, a different application, etc. Thus, a system ofinterchangeable lenses in the same or different frames is provided.

The shape of the key may be configured to suit various design choices,such as, but not limited to how secure the lens is in the aperture, andhow easy it is to rotate the lens to secure it to the frame. In theembodiment already described, the key is a substantially semi-circularshape, protruding radially from an edge 320 of the lens 304 outward to adistance substantially the same as the distance that the flange 308extends.

In another embodiment, illustrated as lens 306, the key 312 may wrapapproximately one quarter of the way around the circumference of thelens 306, extending radially from the edge of the lens 306 the samedistance as the flange 308 extends from the edge of the lens 306. Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will comprehend that thecircumferential distance around the lens that the key extends is amatter of design preference, and may be modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. Here, the lens 306 may utilize an aperture 302substantially the same as the aperture described above, wherein the key312 includes a curved edge 314 facilitating the insertion of the key 312into the semicircular notch 326 as the lens 306 is rotated within theaperture 302. In one embodiment, insertion of the curved edge 314 intothe notch 326 may be facilitated by pressing down (e.g., squeezing) orlifting up the frame on one side of the notch 326. In this embodiment,the lens 306 may be secured best by rotating the lens 306 by ⅜ of a turnafter aligning the curved edge 314 of the key 312 with the notch 326 inthe aperture 302. The lens 306 may be removed from the frame bycontinuing its rotation in the same direction, such that the key 312emerges from the notch 326.

In the foregoing specification, spectacles have been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications andchanges may be made, however, without departing from the scope of thepresent invention as set forth in the claims. The specification andfigures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by theclaims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examplesdescribed.

For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may beexecuted in any order and are not limited to the specific orderpresented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elementsrecited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwiseoperationally configured in a variety of permutations and areaccordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in theclaims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been describedabove with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit,advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that may cause anyparticular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or components of any or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,”“having,” “including,” “includes” or any variation thereof, are intendedto reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements doesnot include only those elements recited, but may also include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and/ormodifications of the above-described structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the present invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters,or other operating requirements without departing from the generalprinciples of the same.

What is claimed is:
 1. Spectacles comprising: a paper frame having atleast one aperture; and at least one injection molded plastic lens foraltering a user's vision when viewing through each of said at least oneinjection molded plastic lens.